PALESTINIAN FM SLAMS CALLS TO RAISE ISRAELI FLAG OVER AL-AQSA
Al-Quds, 15 Muharram 1437/28 October 2015 (MINA) – Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki condemned remarks made by Deputy Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely that she hoped to see the Israeli flag flying over Al-Aqsa Mosque.
In an exclusive interview with the Anadolu Agency during his visit to the Belgian capital, Brussels, Al-Maliki said: “These remarks require that we all, Arab and Islamic countries, the international community as well as the US administration, stand against it.”
He added: “The Israeli government aims to take control of Al-Aqsa Mosque, demolish it, and replace it with the Temple.”Middle East Monitor (MEMO) reported.
In a televised interview on Monday, Hotovely said: “Jews should be allowed to perform prayers in the courtyard of the Temple Mount [Al-Aqsa Mosque],” adding that she looks forward to “raising the Israeli flag over it”.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office quickly distanced itself from her comments saying they do not reflect the government’s position.
Regarding the understandings that were reached on Saturday between Jordan and Israel, under the auspices of US Secretary of State John Kerry, Al-Maliki said: “The Palestinian government relies heavily on the support it receives from sister countries, specifically from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”
He expressed his appreciation for “the distinguished Jordanian role in protecting the holy sites; specifically Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
“Jordan is working on behalf of us all in order to fix a key issue; which is obliging Israel to respect the historic status of Al-Haram Al-Sharif [Al-Aqsa Mosque] that has extended for many years.”
US Secretary of State John Kerry announced on Saturday a Jordanian-Israeli agreement which will see the installation of CCTV cameras within Al-Aqsa Mosque’s courtyard in order for the area to be monitored 24 hours a day.
In brief remarks to the official Jordanian TV station, Kerry said that Netanyahu agreed that Israel would implement a policy that allows Muslims to pray in Al-Aqsa, but non-Muslims to visit only.
During his interview, Al-Maliki described the meeting which was took place on Monday in Brussels between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the UN High Commissioner for Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union, Frederica Mogherini as “a frank and practical meeting”.
“During the meeting, we stressed two fundamental issues; first: achieving a truce and the practical steps that must be taken by Israel in this regard, and second: the preparation work for the visit of the international Quartet delegation to the region.”
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki yesterday condemned remarks made by Deputy Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely that she hoped to see the Israeli flag flying over Al-Aqsa Mosque.
In an exclusive interview with the Anadolu Agency during his visit to the Belgian capital, Brussels, Al-Maliki said: “These remarks require that we all, Arab and Islamic countries, the international community as well as the US administration, stand against it.”
He added: “The Israeli government aims to take control of Al-Aqsa Mosque, demolish it, and replace it with the Temple.”
In a televised interview on Monday, Hotovely said: “Jews should be allowed to perform prayers in the courtyard of the Temple Mount [Al-Aqsa Mosque],” adding that she looks forward to “raising the Israeli flag over it”.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office quickly distanced itself from her comments saying they do not reflect the government’s position.
Regarding the understandings that were reached on Saturday between Jordan and Israel, under the auspices of US Secretary of State John Kerry, Al-Maliki said: “The Palestinian government relies heavily on the support it receives from sister countries, specifically from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”
He expressed his appreciation for “the distinguished Jordanian role in protecting the holy sites; specifically Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
“Jordan is working on behalf of us all in order to fix a key issue; which is obliging Israel to respect the historic status of Al-Haram Al-Sharif [Al-Aqsa Mosque] that has extended for many years.”
US Secretary of State John Kerry announced on Saturday a Jordanian-Israeli agreement which will see the installation of CCTV cameras within Al-Aqsa Mosque’s courtyard in order for the area to be monitored 24 hours a day.
In brief remarks to the official Jordanian TV station, Kerry said that Netanyahu agreed that Israel would implement a policy that allows Muslims to pray in Al-Aqsa, but non-Muslims to visit only.
During his interview, Al-Maliki described the meeting which was took place on Monday in Brussels between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the UN High Commissioner for Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union, Frederica Mogherini as “a frank and practical meeting”.
“During the meeting, we stressed two fundamental issues; first: achieving a truce and the practical steps that must be taken by Israel in this regard, and second: the preparation work for the visit of the international Quartet delegation to the region.” (T/P002/R03)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
